cepbreed's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I randomly saw this sitting on my bookshelf and immediately was sent back to age 8 when I first read this series. As the daughter of a classics professor of course I loved the cute and whimsical Goddess Girls series. This installment in particular was my favorite because I absolutely loved Medusa and Dionysus , but in this rereading it I was disappointed by the lack of interactions. Plus it was way worse than I remembered but there’s nothing to blame there other than me, now 18 years old, aging out of the target audience.
I’m so tempted to read the other Medusa centric book in this series for nostalgias sake.
I’m so tempted to read the other Medusa centric book in this series for nostalgias sake.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
hayley_cummings's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, this book was incredible. I think Medusa is my favorite character in these books (y’all know how I love the misunderstood baddies with backstories, ok) and so enjoyed getting to spend time with her. Her character development in this book was pretty good for these being younger books and this one was just as cute and fun as the rest of this series. I cannot wait to continue and see more Medusa in the future.
buuboobaby's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Very cute read! Learn why Medusa is so mean! Not really, but being socially awkward makes it hard for her to make friends. It's even harder with snakes for hair. Will she ever catch handsome, blue Poseidon's eye? What's a green girl with a head full of snakes to do? Try to scheme her way into the godboy's heart, that's what. I was starting to worry that Medusa wouldn't learn that being snarky and standoffish wasn't doing her any favors, so it was fun to see her finally get a clue.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
Very cute read! Learn why Medusa is so mean! Not really, but being socially awkward makes it hard for her to make friends. It's even harder with snakes for hair. Will she ever catch handsome, blue Poseidon's eye? What's a green girl with a head full of snakes to do? Try to scheme her way into the godboy's heart, that's what. I was starting to worry that Medusa wouldn't learn that being snarky and standoffish wasn't doing her any favors, so it was fun to see her finally get a clue.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
thebookishgoddess's review against another edition
5.0
ZEUS/HERA WEDDING WAS THE CUTEST. And I loved Medusa here! Such an amazing character. :D
annastarlight's review against another edition
5.0
Medusa the Mean is the eighth book in the Goddess Girls series, and the second book in the series I have read. In the first few books the more popular goddess girls are the main characters – Athena, Artemis, Aphrodite and Persephone. Later in the series other characters get some spotlight time too.
I was very much excited to be reading about Medusa. She always seems so mean and evil, so it was great to see inside her head for a while. Medusa the Mean really upped my appreciation for Medusa. In spirit she’s just a scared girl that wants to be accepted for who she is. The authors really handled Medusa’s story beautifully; I was impressed how they found a good balance between Medusa’s bitchy-ness and her more vulnerable inner monologue.
Having read the first book, Athena the Brain and the eighth book, Medusa the Mean, close to each other, it was easier for me to spot the differences between the books and the evolution of the series in general. The most obvious difference is the length – Medusa the Mean is significantly longer. This is also felt within the story, as the storyline in Medusa the Mean uses more built-up and time to develop than the slightly random adventures displayed in Athena the Brain. Medusa’s book is lot more coherent and follows the more classic plot structure. In Athena there is a lot of creative use of myths and little word jokes. There is quite a bit less of that in Medusa, even though there is still more than enough mythology to keep the story interesting.
Medusa the Mean is a solid addition to the Goddess Girls series that fans of the series will eat up. It’s lovely to get an insight into the life of Medusa. Recommended for anyone looking for a fun, light, and clever MG read.
I was very much excited to be reading about Medusa. She always seems so mean and evil, so it was great to see inside her head for a while. Medusa the Mean really upped my appreciation for Medusa. In spirit she’s just a scared girl that wants to be accepted for who she is. The authors really handled Medusa’s story beautifully; I was impressed how they found a good balance between Medusa’s bitchy-ness and her more vulnerable inner monologue.
Having read the first book, Athena the Brain and the eighth book, Medusa the Mean, close to each other, it was easier for me to spot the differences between the books and the evolution of the series in general. The most obvious difference is the length – Medusa the Mean is significantly longer. This is also felt within the story, as the storyline in Medusa the Mean uses more built-up and time to develop than the slightly random adventures displayed in Athena the Brain. Medusa’s book is lot more coherent and follows the more classic plot structure. In Athena there is a lot of creative use of myths and little word jokes. There is quite a bit less of that in Medusa, even though there is still more than enough mythology to keep the story interesting.
Medusa the Mean is a solid addition to the Goddess Girls series that fans of the series will eat up. It’s lovely to get an insight into the life of Medusa. Recommended for anyone looking for a fun, light, and clever MG read.
hdbblog's review against another edition
4.0
If you haven't yet discovered The Goddess Girls Series, allow me to introduce you. This wonderful set of books is all about mixing classic mythology with modern day girls and guys. Trust me, it's a ton of fun to read! Although these books are slated for Middle Graders, I see no reason why older aged readers wouldn't like them as well. After all, I'm almost 30, and I love them still!
In this particular installment, we get to see a lot further into Medusa's past and why she earned the title "Queen of Mean". The thing is, Medusa isn't really all that bad! Sadly she's just been told her whole life that she isn't special, and that she shouldn't try. Now here is why I love Medusa as a character. Despite everything else, this girl has dreams! She works hard for them and I see her as a way to teach young readers that if you work hard for something, chances are you can achieve it.
What's really sweet about Medusa the Mean is that you get to see her blossom. Making new friends, realizing that sometimes you have to trust others, and even finally seeing how her "supercrush" really is on the inside. The story line in this book is so fun! It's quick moving, there are silly jokes, and the way that the characters interact is perfect. I loved the fact that in this book Medusa is no longer just the "mean girl" character. She really comes into her own, and it's fabulous!
Long story short, this is a great series and Medusa the Mean is no exception to that rule! If you have a young reader at home, put this book into their hands. These work great as standalone novels, or you can go back to beginning and let them experience the whole series. Either way, these are sure to be a hit in your home!
In this particular installment, we get to see a lot further into Medusa's past and why she earned the title "Queen of Mean". The thing is, Medusa isn't really all that bad! Sadly she's just been told her whole life that she isn't special, and that she shouldn't try. Now here is why I love Medusa as a character. Despite everything else, this girl has dreams! She works hard for them and I see her as a way to teach young readers that if you work hard for something, chances are you can achieve it.
What's really sweet about Medusa the Mean is that you get to see her blossom. Making new friends, realizing that sometimes you have to trust others, and even finally seeing how her "supercrush" really is on the inside. The story line in this book is so fun! It's quick moving, there are silly jokes, and the way that the characters interact is perfect. I loved the fact that in this book Medusa is no longer just the "mean girl" character. She really comes into her own, and it's fabulous!
Long story short, this is a great series and Medusa the Mean is no exception to that rule! If you have a young reader at home, put this book into their hands. These work great as standalone novels, or you can go back to beginning and let them experience the whole series. Either way, these are sure to be a hit in your home!
simsbrarian's review
4.0
This was my favorite; even above the ones on Artemis. Not only do we get to dig into Medusa's life and history; she grows a bit and finds out more about herself and what is important. She may be the Queen of Mean but she's also a pretty rad, independent, thoughtful girl with vegetarian snakes for hair that she treats as well as Artemis treats her dogs! Fun, cute, well-done.
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